Ilfosol-s best dilution

[PepMiro]

I'm using mainly T-MAX 100 and 400, FP4+ and HP5+ and one of my favourites developers for these films is Ilfosol-S.

I normally use it at 1+9 dilution, and Ilford reccomends the 1+14 dilution only for economy.

Any of you have experience in using this developer at diferent dilutions and the effects (more/less acutance, more/less microcontrast, etc.)?

Is possible to dilute more than 1+14 or less than 1+9?

Thanks

 

[tommy5c]

I've only ever used the 1+14 mixture, any i think it's great. The only problem that I had is because of my improper agitation. I really enjoy the developer. And since my tank is a 1500ml tank the math works in my favor.

 

[Steve Roberts]

I often use it but find the 1 + 14 dilution better as small variations in developing time are not as significant and the tonal range is better. I can't perceive any difference in grain or acutance compared to 1 + 9 but found it necessary to throw away the Ilford recommended developing times - perhaps it's just my technique, but I found that considerably longer times were needed. Economy is hardly a reason for 1 + 14 as Ilfosol is so cheap anyway. My main objection to it is that the keeping properties are not good in part-used bottles.

Steve

 

[Dracotype]

Ilfosol S and FP4+ are very good together. 1:14 was always very good in my opinion. It gave FP4+ a nice bite and tonality. It has a tendancy to die suddenly though, so use it quickly if you can. I didn't like the results I got with HP5+ though, well, I should say, the grain felt strange to me.

I remember with the 1:14 dilution that you could overdevelop 10-25% and still get pretty much the same results. That was with 120 though. Your results might differ.

Drew